PROGRAM REVIEW
Fairmont State Board of Governors
□Program with Special Accreditation x Program without Special Accreditation
Date Submitted_March 2010__________________
Program__Regents Bachelor of Arts Degree______________________________________________________
Degree and Title
INSTITUTIONAL RECOMMENDATION
The institution is obligated to recommend continuance or discontinuance of a program and to provide a brief
rationale for its recommendation:
_____1. Continuation of the program at the current level of activity;
_____2. Continuation of program with corrective action (for example, reducing the range of
optional tracks or merging programs);
__X__3. Identification of the program for further development (for example, providing
additional institutional commitment);
_____4. Development of a cooperative program with another institution, or sharing courses,
facilities, faculty, and the like;
_____5. Discontinuation of the Program
Rationale for Recommendation:
The Regents Bachelor of Arts degree is firmly grounded in state guidelines. The degree provides the option for
adult students to use work and life experiences, as well as credits earned at previous institutions to earn a degree.
The flexibility of the program is valuable to busy adult students and the RBA Today option to the current Regents
Bachelor of Arts degree will afford students even more flexibility. With statewide recruitment for this new
program, the RBA degree will most likely see additional students enrolling in the program. With a new president at
Fairmont State University and with additional advising support for the program, the program is certain to grow and
provided opportunities for many West Virginia students.
_________________________________________________________
Signature of person preparing report:
___________________________________
Date
_________________________________________________________
Signature of Dean
___________________________________
Date
_________________________________________________________
Signature of Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs:
___________________________________
Date
_________________________________________________________
Signature of President:
___________________________________
Date
_________________________________________________________
Signature of Chair, Board of Governors:
___________________________________
Date
Executive Summary for Program Review
Name and degree level of program
Regents Bachelor of Arts degree
External reviewer(s)
Program Advisory Committee consists of School Deans and Academic Chairs as they comprise
the Academic Affairs Council. An annual report on the RBA program is submitted to the
Council and discussions of any concerns takes place there. Open communication between
Deans, Chairs, Coordinators, and the RBA advisor is encouraged and conducted as needed. On a
larger level, the RBA Program at Fairmont State University receives statewide support from the
other state RBA coordinators. This group meets with the State RBA Coordinator who monitors
the program at the Higher Education Board Office.
Synopses of significant findings, including findings of external reviewer(s)
Fairmont State University needs to identify a coordinator for the degree program and provide
more consistency with the degree. Currently, one advisor meets with students; however, a
coordinator needs to be identified so that there may be more recruitment for this program.
Plans for program improvement, including timeline
Fairmont State University will be participating in the RBA Today program that is scheduled to
begin fall 2010 and will increase the number of advisors who work with the program.
RBA Today is an enhanced version of the Regents Bachelor of Arts degree that for
many years has provided baccalaureate degree opportunities to working adults who
want to improve their skills, advance in their careers, or reach the goal of achieving a
degree without putting their lives on hold. The format of the RBA Today continues the
underlying elements of the Regents Bachelor of Arts, but adds new curricular areas of
emphasis and allows participants the flexibility of online learning and Fast Track
courses.
Identification of weaknesses or deficiencies from the previous review and the status of
improvements implemented or accomplished
Weaknesses identified from the last review included the lack of personnel and the lack of
adequate space. The RBA program is being moved into the Academic Advising Center and will
have additional personnel to assist with RBA students; a new director will be appointed.
Five-year trend data on graduates and majors enrolled
Regents
Bachelor
of Arts
Fall
2003
Fall
2004
Fall
2005
Fall
2006
Fall
2007
Fall
2008
Fall
2009
Total
Majors
82
73
76
57
66
57
68
479
Graduates
68
51
42
60
45
43
38
347
Summary of assessment model and how results are used for program improvement
Outcomes and assessments have been identified for all courses at Fairmont State University.
Since the Regents Bachelor of Arts degree uses courses from other programs, the course
outcomes and assessments will fall under those guidelines. All of this information is housed in
TaskStream and is available for all courses.
Data on student placement (for example, number of students employed in positions related to the
field of study or pursuing advanced degrees)
From the “
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:
1] Good mix of male and females, predominantly white, non-hispanic… g
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age ranges, otherwise late 20-s.
2]Th
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with the number of unsatisfactory and very unsatisfactory, but the limited to FSU / benefits
seems to show some positives.
3] Salaries are expected for WV and higher than the relative per capita.
4]Empl
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5] Very mixed on current job satisfaction and longer range opportunities
6] A few indicate graduate work/studies.
Final recommendations approved by governing board
Identification of the program for further development
PROGRAM REVIEW
FAIRMONT STATE UNIVERSITY OR PIERPONT COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Program:
Regents Bachelor of Arts Degree
School:
Academic Affairs
Date:
March 2010
Program Catalog Description:
The Regents Bachelor of Arts Degree Program (RBA) is designed to offer adult students the
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family commitments. The program offers students the opportunity to fully utilize previous
college credits, military experiences, and work related and life learning experiences. This
nontraditional degree is open to adults who are at least four years past high school graduation;
in addition, the degree targets those who have completed from one to three years of study in an
accredited college or university, but who have not yet finished a baccalaureate degree.
The RBA Degree Program parallels the level of academic quality seen in more traditional
bachelor degree programs. The program is not intended for students excluded from other
academic programs for reasons of poor academic quality. The integrity and viability of the
RBA Degree Program is of critical importance. The policies and guidelines, credit awards,
and requirements are subject to review and revision at least twice a year during the statewide
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existing awards and programs.
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to re-enter the work force; those preparing for career advancement; those who have an
associate degree for which there is no corresponding baccalaureate degree available to them;
those who wish to pursue graduate school; or those who seek intellectual development and
personal fulfillment. Many students identify themselves with at least two or three of these
needs and goals.
VIABILITY (§ 4.1.3.1)
Enrollments
Regents
Bachelor
of Arts
Fall
2003
Fall
2004
Fall
2005
Fall
2006
Fall
2007
Fall
2008
Fall
2009
Total
Majors
82
73
76
57
66
57
68
479
Graduates
68
51
42
60
45
43
38
347
Liberal Studies Requirements Met
Students must complete 128 semester hours comprised of 36
general education hours (communications, humanities, natural sciences, social
sciences, mathematics or computer applications), 40 upper division hours, and 52
elective hours. Another option allows for an area of emphasis in institutionally
sanctioned program areas of study with the completion of a minimum of 15 hours of
up
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





Communications –6 hours
Social Sciences –6 hours
Natural Sciences –6 hours
Humanities –6 hours
Mathematical Sciences or Computer Applications –3 hours
Other –9 hours
Assessment Requirements
Since the RBA Program does not have a designated major or minor, there is much flexibility
and variety of course selection that a standard means of academic assessment that might be
used in other degree programs cannot be applied. Students are assessed upon application to the
RBA Program and apprised of any special requirements that must be met. Course placement
testing is conducted in writing, math. If needed, developmental course work is completed.
Designing an individualized program of study for an RBA student is part of the educational
goal. Assessment of the quality of the design and its fit to the student is realized when the
student is successful in its completion. Students may take as long as they need to complete
their study; only those files which show no activity for more than five years are removed.
 Students often return to college with out-of-date courses. They are individually
assessed and advised to audit or repeat those courses with technical or retention
sensitive elements, such as math, computer applications, accounting principles, foreign
languages, in order that they may successfully move toward graduation and have solid
prerequisite knowledge for upper level course work. These recommendations are reassessed and recorded in the student file at midterm and at the end of the semester.
 Completion of the 36 hours required for general education requirements and the 40
hours of upper level course work required indicates mastery of essential skills. For
those students who retain or initiate a new are of study, clearly their achievement in
t
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e
-on-one
advising opportunities for RBA students with the advisor favorably impact the
outcomes for students and the program.
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of satisfactory progress is notes, emails or memos to the student retained, and
agreements or suggestions about portfolio work included in the records. This file is
reviewed before scheduling of classes and after each semester of course work is
completed. It is updated prior to any advising session that occurs in person or by email
or phoned. A graduation audit is conducted two semesters prior to graduation and
directly following graduation to ensure requirements are met and the degree is earned.
 Program quality and integrity are assessed through initial portfolio review conducted
by the faculty advisor. Good communication between Deans, Chairs, and the RBA
advisor helps to strengthen the expectations and the outcomes of the student portfolio
efforts. Over the past several years, the number of portfolio submissions for credit has
diminished. However, more rigorous standards and guidelines have been set. Personal
advising sessions on portfolio construction and a careful selection of courses to
challenge are now being required. Fewer portfolios are returned without some credit
awarded as a result of these quality controls.
 In-state RBA Coordinator meetings occur twice a year at which time program concerns
and issues are addressed. Established standard credit awards (CEC) are reviewed and
revised as needed or as scheduled. Meeting agendas focus on program quality and
integrity; transfer issues, institutional policies that impact the RBA Programs,
prospective CEC awards under review. Subcommittees are formed as needed to
address any large scale issues that will need recommendation for action to the state
Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC).
 The RBA Today program has initiated much discussion about the Regents Bachelor of
Arts degree during the past year. This has given institutions across the state the
opportunity to evaluate their individual RBA programs..
Adjunct use
The RBA Programs does not have specified faculty. The degree utilized courses taught
throughout all the curricula offered by Fairmont State University; in the West Virginia State
Universities and Colleges; and in other accredited institutions of higher learning throughout the
country. Students in this degree program have access to full time, part time, and adjunct
faculty employed by Fairmont State University and Pierpont Community & Technical College.
Graduation/Retention Rates
Regents
Bachelor
of Arts
Fall
2003
Fall
2004
Fall
2005
Fall
2006
Fall
2007
Fall
2008
Fall
2009
Total
Graduates
68
51
42
60
45
43
38
347
Retention Calculations for RBA
First-time Students
Fall
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
6-Yr Mean
Cohort Size of
RBA First-time
Freshmen
1
2
3
0
0
0
1.00
Retention Calculations for RBA
Transfer-In Students
Fall
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
6-Yr Mean
Cohort Size of
RBA Transfer-In
Student
9
0
12
4
11
8
7.33
Count of this
Fall Cohort
Retained until
Next Fall IN the
RBA Program
0
1
1
0
0
0
0.33
Count of this
Fall Cohort
Retained until
Next Fall IN the
RBA Program
4
0
4
3
3
3
2.83
Previous Program Review Results
Recommended to continue at the current level.
RBA FT Program
Retention Rate
0.00%
50.00%
33.33%
N/A
N/A
N/A
27.78%
Count of this
Fall Cohort
Retained until
Next Fall at FSU
0
1
1
0
0
0
0.33
PCTC Retention
of RBA FT
Cohort
0.00%
50.00%
33.33%
N/A
N/A
N/A
27.78%
RBA Transfer-In
Retention Rate
44.44%
N/A
33.33%
75.00%
27.27%
37.50%
43.51%
Count of this
Fall Cohort
Retained until
Next Fall at FSU
4
0
5
3
5
4
3.50
PCTC Retention
of RBA TransferIn Cohort
44.44%
N/A
41.67%
75.00%
45.45%
50.00%
51.31%
Next
Next
ADEQUACY (§ 4.2.4.2)
Program Requirements:
Liberal Studies
32-42
__36 hrs
6 hours of communication
6 hours of social science
6 hours of natural science
3 hours of math and/or computer science
6 hours of humanities
Major
32-65
____hrs
Although specific Areas of Emphasis are not
required in the Fairmont State University RBA
pr
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udy
often reflect at least one area of focus. Students are
encouraged to work toward knowledge and skills
that will enhance existing careers, prepare them for
changing career fields, or facilitate entrance into
graduate programs.
Electives
min 21
____hrs
A total of 40 hours of upper division hours are
required.
TOTAL
max 128
_128 hrs
Programs not meeting the above requirements must request a continuation of their exception
with a justification below:
Faculty Data
The RBA Programs does not have specified faculty. The degree utilized courses taught
throughout all the curricula offered by Fairmont State University; in the West Virginia State
Universities and Colleges; and in other accredited institutions of higher learning throughout the
country. Students in this degree program have access to full time, part time, and adjunct
faculty employed by Fairmont State University and Pierpont Community & Technical College.
The role of faculty portfolio evaluator is open to assignment by the School Deans, Chairs or
coordinators. All faculty members have access to Fairmont State faculty development
programs, faculty evaluation procedures, and faculty merit review.
Accreditation/national standards
The Fairmont State University RBA program meets the standards set by the state RBA Degree
Program.
Entrance Standards
Students enrolled in the RBA Program must meet the same admissions standards as all
students admitted to Fairmont State University. Also;
 Applicants must have been graduated from high school four years or more prior to
enrollment in the program.
 If applicants possess a GED, they must be four years past the time their high school
class graduated.
 Readmits and transfers applying to the RBA must be four years past high school
graduation and/or eligible to return to their prior transfer institution.
 Applicants to the RBA cannot have earned a previous baccalaureate degree.
 After admission to the RBA program, students are subject to the academic
requirements of the RBA degree and to the general grading practices as outlined in the
University catalog.
NECESSITY (§ 4.1.3.3)
Were existing campus-based options viable, more adults would be engaged and would have
already re-enrolled. Fortunately, West Virginia has a degree option that is targeted to adult
students - the Regents Bachelor of Arts (RBA). During the last 10 years, nearly 8,000 West
Virginians have received the RBA degree - the most productive in terms of numbers of
graduates in the state. By combining the Adult Learner initiative with the Regents Bachelor of
Arts, returning students will find a convenient and adult-friendly degree model for pursuing
their education. To that end, West Virginia, through its public colleges and universities, is
initiating a new, flexible and affordable baccalaureate degree completion program that
will provide working-age adults wishing to return to college the opportunity to earn a
ba
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but have never completed a degree, will provide new pathways to a degree, will utilize
alternative delivery methods, compressed learning periods and adult-focused services.
CONSISTENCY WITH MISSION (§ 4.1.3.4)
The Regents Bachelor of Arts Degree is a program that is consistent with the mission of
Fairmont State University. The reasons adult students return to college vary, but whatever the
reason, returning to college is a smart move. Some seek to develop workplace skills,
others want professional growth, and some just want to complete a college degree and
realize a dream that started 10, 20, 30 or even 40 years ago. They may have
experienced a life-changing event, such as marriage, divorce, or relocation, dropped out
of college for financial reasons, or departed for academic reasons. But they all realize
t
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new opportunities. In fact, college graduates will earn about $1 million more than high
school graduates during their lifetimes. And earning a college degree will bring other
benefits, including:





Boosting new job prospects
Enhancing better opportunities for promotions
Developing an expanded knowledge base and new perspective for work and life
Opening doors to further advanced education following completion of a degree
Influencing college and career decisions of family, friends, and co-workers
Attainment of a b
a
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advantage in the market place and provide the necessary skills and knowledge valued by
employers in business, government, and organizations.
Signatures and Recommendations
The required sheet with signatures and recommendation should be used as a cover sheet.